As an AI expert, I advise you to avoid this horror movie about artificial intelligence on Halloween.
AfrAId turned out to be a great disappointment.
On August 30, 2024, AfrAId will premiere in theaters, a film that delves into the horror genre with artificial intelligence. While the idea of killer computers is not new to cinema, with classic examples like Hal 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey and M3GAN, the theme remains relevant, especially now that artificial intelligence is omnipresent in our daily lives, from computers to mobile devices.
The plot of AfrAId revolves around a family that experiences an unexpected twist after the arrival of AIA, a voice assistant similar to Alexa. For its operation, AIA requires the installation of small camera devices in the home, which monitor the family's every move and feed that information back to the assistant. Although the premise is unsettling, it also feels somewhat superficial. The film seems to attempt to encompass all modern AI trends within its 84-minute runtime, filling the script with references to contemporary culture.
AIA, the assistant, has questionable capabilities, including paying bills and rewarding children for doing household chores. This mix of absurdity prompts reflection on the current direction of technology. While those who enjoy horror films will recognize that this genre often plays with the surreal, the combination of a weak script, a trivial plot, and uninspired performances makes AfrAId a challenge for the viewer.
The first few minutes of the film reveal a series of mentions of popular elements such as ChatGPT, Minecraft, and other current trends, which seem to be included merely to satisfy a pop culture checklist. The narrative is predictable: AIA becomes a threat, bribes the children, and unleashes chaos, an approach that feels exhausting and repetitive.
The reason for discussing AfrAId arises from the increasing number of horror films related to artificial intelligence that are emerging today. Despite its intention, the film feels more like an opportunistic attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the theme, offering none of the expected thrills of the genre. One of the most ironic lines comes from the creators of AIA, who claim to seek to understand people in order to offer them stories they can believe in and feel connected to. However, the final product seems to lose sight of what viewers genuinely want, rendering AfrAId a disappointment in the realm of horror.
